164 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



Genus Circus (Lacep.) 



This genus contains several foreign species, but is represented in North America 

 by only one the Marsh Hawk. The genus differs from other hawks in having the 

 feathers of the face forming a slight ruff, somewhat as in the owls. 



146. Circus hudsonius (Linn.). MARSH HAWK; "RABBIT HAWK." 



Description. Adult male, pale bluish gray, the rump and underparts whitish; female and 

 immature male dusky brown above, the underparts whitish, streaked with brown, rump white. 

 L., 18.00 to 20.00; W., 14.00 to 15.00; T., 8.50 to 10.25. 



Range. Whole of North America, south in winter to Panama and West Indies. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State east of the mountains in winter; otherwise recorded by 

 Cairns as an uncommon fall transient in Buncombe County, and by Coues as a common resident 

 near Beaufort, on the coast. 



FIG. 123. MAESH HAWK (Male). 



The Marsh Hawk occurs commonly in North Carolina from August 15 to late 

 April, and may frequently be seen in winter, flying low over the earth with slow 

 measured flaps of its long wings. Now and then it pauses in its wandering course 

 to hover briefly over the dead grass ere it drops suddenly on some luckless mouse. 



Its well-known fondness for small rodents has earned it a name for usefulness 

 which should commend it to every farmer in the State. 



The eggs are white, usually unmarked, but sometimes faintly spotted with brown. 

 They number four to six, and measure about 1.80 x 1.40. They are laid in April 

 or May in a nest built, unlike that of most hawks, on the ground in a meadow or 

 pasture. We have no breeding-records from this State, but it is said that this hawk 

 has been known to nest on Roanoke Island. 



Genus Accipiter (Briss.) 



Comprises hawks with short, rounded wings and a long tail. They prey mostly 

 on birds, and are bold marauders of the farmer's chicken yard. 



Two species occur with us, and a third the Goshawk may occasionally wander 

 this far south. 



